Deck for oil tanks



R.-B. moss. DECK FOR OIL TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31,1921.

Patented Jail. 31, 19 22,

2 S'HEETSSHEET 1- bfoooo Ir \vx lllllllll" ll Lll Mix R. R. BLOSS. DECK FOR 0|L TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, I921.

KAJMQQ L Patented 3 2111.311, 11922..

2 SHEETSSHEET 2. E 3.

RICH D'RALPH QLOSS, 0F PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGN'OR TO THE PARKERSBUM RIG 8: REEL COMPANY, OF PARKERSB'URG, WEST VIRGINIA, A'

COBPQRATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

DECK FOR 0110 TANKS.

' due to evaporation of the volatile constitucuts of the oil. When a tank is partially filled, an air space is formed above the body of oil, and a constant circulation of air takes place in this space, due to openings in the deck, leakage, and similar causes. It is apparent that the provision of an oil tank in which the space between the body of oil and the deck of the tank is eliminated would materially reduce losses due to evaporation.

Another disadvantage of the ordinary type of oil tank is the liability of explosions due to confinement of gases and vapors within the space above the body of oil; As the oil in the tank vaporizes, and the permanent gases contained in the oil are liberated, it is necessary to permit their removal at a sufficient rate of speed to prevent the accumulation of a body of explosive gases and yapors at a high pressure.

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In the, present invention, I provide a deck adapted to float on the body of oil within the tank and thus eliminate the existence of a body of air or gases and vapors within the tank above the body of oil. It willbe apparent that with a deck which raises and lowers asthe oil level in the tank is raised and lowered, the losses due to evaporation are materially reduced and the fire hazard is practically eliminated.

Due to irregularities in the wall of the tank, it is necessary to provide a deck of smaller diameter than the diameter of the tank to permit it to raise and lower. The space around the deck may be filled with any suitable material light enough to float on the body of the oil. I find it advantageous to employ a filling of granular material or Specification of Letters Patent.

ama Jan. s11, ieea Application filed May 31, 1921. Serial No. $73,566.

' and vapors from the body of oil may :pass to shown one embodiment of the invention. In

the tank may the atmosphere.

In the accompanying drawings, I have this showing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tank, parts belng shown in section,

Flgure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a tank and deck,

Figure 3 is a plan view, and,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional line 44 of Figure 3.

The tank comprises a plurality of sections 1 and 2, secured to each other by any suitable means, such as rivets 3. Each of the sections of the tank are formed of a plurality of plates 4, the edges of which are overlapped to form a lap joint 5, (see Figure 3). Theseplates are secured to each other by means of rivets 6. g I

The deck comprises a main body portion 7, having an annular flange 8. A rim 9 is se-' cured to the flange in any suitable manner,

View on as by means of rivets 10, and this rim projects below the deck forming a skirt "11".

As shown, the deck is' made considerabl' smaller in diameter than the diameter of the tank to permit it to raise and lower as the tank is filled or emptied without contacting with the rivets 3 and 6. The space between the rim 9 and the wall of the tank isfilled with a granular substance 11 of spheroids, the substance bein packed closely to permit slow circulation of be provided with a filling pipe 12 and an outlet -pipe'13. x

In operation, the deck raises and lowers as oil is placed in the tank or removed,eliminating the space between the body of oil in a partly filled tank and the deck. In this manner, air is entirely excluded from contact with the surface of the liquid except the small amount of air which. will pass downair or gases. As shown,

wa-rdly between. the closely packed spheroids also eliminates the fire hazard as the vapors formed and gases liberated pass upwardly spheroids through which the permanentgas through the space between the spheroids into I the atmosphere without accumulating as in the ordinary tank. Even if a considerable quantity of oil is present on the surface of the deck and the spheroids,- and should become ignited, burning will continue only until this oil onthe surface is consumed. Any gases formed within the tank during the heating operation will not be ignited until it has passed through the mass of spheroids and out of the tank, the lack of oxygen to support combustion between the spheroids will prevent the fire from passing into the tank.

The use of spheroids light enough to float on the body of oil affords a filling for the space between the deck and the wall without the necessity of providing supporting means for the spheroids. The skirt 11, extending below the oil level, prevents them from becoming displaced and getting under the deck.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangment of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the sub'oined claims. 7

aving thus described my invention, I claim: v

1. The combination with an oil tank, of

a floating deckadapted to rest on the surface of a body of oil within the tank and spaced from the walls of the tank, and a floating filling of loose material arranged in the space between the deck and the walls of the tank and normally filling said space.

2. The combination with an oil tank, of a floating deck adapted to rest on the surface of a body of oil within the tank, said deck comprising a body portion of less diameter than the diameter of the tank, a rim project- 'ing upwardly from the periphery of the body portion, and a filling of granular material arranged in the space between the rim and the walls of the tank and adapted to float on the body of oil.

4:. The combination with an oil tank, of a floating deck adapted to rest on the surface of a body of oil within the tank, said deck comprising a body portion of less diameter than the diameter of the tank, a rim secured to the periphery of the body portion and projecting above and below said body portion, and a filling of floating spheroids arranged in the space between the rim and the walls of the tank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD RALPH BLOSS.

Witnesses E. R. AHRENDT, HERBERT L. POSTLEWAIT. 

